Stephen F. Austin
Arizona
Big Second Half Lifts SFA Over Arizona
12/20/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Porsha Roberts scored 21 of her game-high 29 points in the second half, Tierany Henderson tied a career-high with 16 rebounds and the Stephen F. Austin women’s basketball team earned a big 72-60 victory over Arizona on Saturday evening inside William R. Johnson Coliseum.
Roberts had another huge performance for the Ladyjacks (6-4), going 11-for-16 from the field and connecting on seven of nine free throw attempts in the game. She came one rebound shy of her fifth double-double of the season, finishing with nine boards – five of which came on the offensive glass. The senior from Waco, Texas is averaging 23.0 points over the Ladyjacks’ last four games.
Henderson was a rebounding machine for SFA, recording seven offensive and nine defensive rebounds on the evening. Her efforts helped the Ladyjacks win the rebounding battle and outscore Arizona 18-11 in second chance points.
Arizona (6-4) held a slim 25-23 advantage at the break but SFA regained the lead early in the second half. The Ladyjacks shot 53.6 percent (15-for-28) in the final 20 minutes and built a 17-point cushion with 6:02 left to play before coasting to the 72-60 victory.
SFA limited Arizona to under 40 percent shooting in the contest and didn’t surrender a three-pointer.
Senior guard Brittney Matthew joined Roberts in double figures with 10 points on 3-for-7 shooting. Junior Paulletta Powell and sophomore Taylor Ross each contributed eight points and Henderson and freshman Charisma Alexander each chipped in six to round out the Ladyjacks’ top scorers.
SFA forced 20 Arizona turnovers with the help of three steals apiece from Ross and junior Victoria Pena. Henderson and Matthew led the squad with four assists on the night.
The Ladyjacks return to action on Wednesday, Dec. 31 at 6:00 p.m. when they host Southern Arkansas in William R. Johnson Coliseum for a New Year’s Eve special.
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